Charles Martel is a Frankish hero in the Tours scenario of the Battles of the Conquerors in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors. He has the appearance of a Throwing Axeman, but has better stats, including noticeably longer range and faster attacking rate.
Like other infantry, Charles Martel is affected by all technologies that affect infantry as well as any other bonuses that affect them. As a hero, he cannot be converted and can regenerate health (since The Conquerors only).
Campaign appearances[]
Historical Battles[]
- Tours: Charles Martel leads the Frankish army in the southeast of Tours in a raid against the Moors. Unlike many other heroes, he does not have to live in order to win the scenario. He is controlled by player B in the co-op mode.
Victors and Vanquished[]
- Ragnar: Guthrum, a renamed Charles Martel, is a failed candidate to the Danish throne and has landed on the eastern coast of Great Britain. He will join Ragnar's forces on their raids and complete a Saga of Ragnar's Sons.
History[]
Charles Martel was the de facto ruler of Merovingian Franks (in modern-day France, Belgium, Netherlands, etc) during the 8th century. He rose to prominence in 713 and became Mayor of the Palace in 718 under the kingship of Chilperic II, after a 3 year civil war which he won the right to the titles of Mayor of the Palace and Duke of the Franks. Martel was an avid administrator, developing the first forms of feudalism and often credited with developing the first truly Frankish monetary system. He established the first highly centralized authoritarian rule in France, although he himself never took the title of King.
His most famous act was during the Battle of Tours in 732 AD where he decisively defeated a Muslim army led by Abdul Rahman Al-Ghafiqi, obliterating the Muslim army and inflicting the first significant victory for Christendom against Muslims. After his death in 741 AD, Martel divided the Frankish kingdom into two parts, ruled by his sons Pippin and Carloman. The two parts of the kingdom were later unified when Carloman renounced his title and Pippin was proclaimed King of France.
Charles Martel's grandson, Charlemagne, would later become the most famous of the Carolingian as he extended his power across Western and Central Europe, laying the foundation for the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Martel meant hammer in Latin; he earned this nickname by defeating the Austrasian faction of the Merovingian civil war, smashing their ranks with a frontal assault and assault form the rear, like a hammer.
Trivia[]
- Upon his introduction in The Age of Kings, Charles Martel was a Champion.
- In the Definitive Edition, he responds with Monk voice clips when ordered to move or attack.
Gallery[]
